To preserve and advance the general knowledge of natural science;
to enhance in individuals the knowledge of and delight in natural science and related subjects;
and to maintain and promote a museum of the first class.

A photo of some of our early educational programs.

When twenty visionary Houstonians established the Houston Museum and Scientific Society in 1909, the new organization welcomed visitors to an assortment of small exhibits first housed in the City of Houston’s public auditorium and at the downtown public library. Since then, through the tireless efforts and assiduous passion of generations of Houstonians over the course of a century, the Museum has continued to grow—first from those modest displays downtown to more spacious accommodations in the Houston Zoo, and then, with the opening of the Burke Baker Planetariumin 1964, to the Museum’s current location in Hermann Park. Over the years, HMNS has continued to acquire major collections, expand its permanent exhibitions, and add new venues: the Challenger Learning Center in 1988, the George Observatoryand the Wortham IMAX Theater in 1989, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center in 1994.

Modern kids marvel at the Mastodon
on display in the Hall of Paleontology.

Even as we commemorate the Museum’s rich past, we continue to look to the future. Our satellite locations have extended the Museum’s educational programs into The Woodlands (2007) and (coming in 2009) Sugar Land. Additionally, with our capital campaign “Building on a Second Century of Science,” we’re planning the launch of a major expansion that will double the Museum’s size in Hermann Park.

This year, celebrate our centennial at one hundred fun family events planned throughout 2009 and get an inside look at the Museum’s vast collections—we’ve selected a hundred of the most compelling objects from millions of possibilities, and we’ll be posting photos and descriptions here – as well as on our main web site at www.hmns.org. Check back here frequently to learn more about this diverse selection of behind-the-scenes curiosities—we will post the image of a new object every few days.

About Joel

Not only is Joel the President of the Museum, he’s also a curator. He has the rare distinction of having held almost every job here – including security guard, back before his museum career took him to distinguished posts all across the country. At HMNS, he built our outstanding collection of gems and minerals and the world-renowned Wiess Energy Hall before being appointed President in July 2004. Since, he’s brought us Lucy, Leonardo and…check back here for his updates on the next big things coming up.

6 thoughts on “Celebrating 100: A Centennial of Science”

Does HMNS ever organize exhibits from their own collections? All the Lucy, Birth of Christianity, Body Worlds, Titanic, Kremlin, Forbidden City, Dead Sea Scrolls exhibits are great. HMNS brings in 2-3 million each year and is one of the most heavily attended museums in the nation, and I was just wondering if any major portions of special exhibits are based off its own collections?

I’m so glad you have liked our recent exhibitions. Yes, the museum does contribute artifacts from our collections to our special exhibitions (the current Dinosaur Mummy CSI and 2005’s Gold! come to mind immediately.) However, we generally work with museums from around the world to bring the world’s treasures (like Lucy and the Dead Sea Scrolls, for example) to Houston. The most spectacular items in the Museum’s collection are on permanent, or rotating, display for people to enjoy every day.

Why doesn’t HMNS make an exhibit with a majority of objects that come from its own collection? I understand that you say the most “spectacular” items are kept for Houstonians to see, but how come other museums around the world like the Metropolitan Museum, Louvre, and British Musuem easily and often lend out their “spectacular” artifcats in numerous travelling exhibits?

Please answer the question that I have on this page. I would appreciate it so much. Wow come other museums around the world like the Metropolitan Museum, Louvre, and British Musuem easily and often lend out their “spectacular” artifcats in numerous travelling exhibits?